AT NIGHT: 2026 Honda Pilot Elite - Headlights, Displays & Night Visibility (Real-World Test)

2026 Honda Pilot Buyer's Guide The 2026 Honda Pilot is a refresh of the fourth-gen model, not a ground-up redesign. Honda kept what worked and addressed the areas that needed it: the infotainment, the exterior styling, and a few trim-specific gaps. If you were on the fence about the previous Pilot, this update moves the needle meaningfully. What's New Every 2026 Pilot gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen (up 37% from before), a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster (up 43%), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google built-in, and 5G Wi-Fi. The power tailgate is now standard across all trims. Steering has been retuned for better on-center feel, and cabin noise is down 2-3 dB through new door glass, insulators, and hood treatment. New colors include Solar Silver Metallic, Smoke Blue Pearl, and TrailSport-exclusive Ash Green Metallic. Powertrain Same 3.5L DOHC V6 as before: 285 hp, 262 lb-ft, paired to a 10-speed automatic. FWD is available on Sport and EX-L; Honda's torque-vectoring i-VTM4 AWD is standard on TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition, and available on Sport and EX-L. Towing is 3,500 lbs with FWD and 5,000 lbs with AWD. Regular unleaded, 18.5-gallon tank. Fuel Economy FWD trims: 19/27/22 mpg. AWD (non-TrailSport): 19/25/21. TrailSport AWD: 18/23/20. Trim Rundown Sport ($42,195 FWD / $44,295 AWD) — Well-equipped entry point. Gets the new screen, Honda Sensing, heated front seats, power tailgate, and roof rails. Blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert are standard. Skips parking sensors and wireless charging. EX-L ($44,495 FWD / $46,595 AWD) — Adds leather-trimmed seats, wireless Qi charging, auto-dimming mirror, parking sensors, memory seat, and heated power mirrors. Removable second-row center seat expands config flexibility. TrailSport ($50,395 AWD only) — The off-road variant. Raised suspension, all-terrain tires, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, underbody skid plates, Trail Torque Logic, full-size spare, and heated rear outboard seats (new for 2026). The 2026 also adds an available brown leather interior with orange stitching. Captain's chairs in row two drop seating to 7. Panoramic moonroof included. Touring ($51,095 AWD only) — Family luxury lane. Gets 360-degree surround view (new for 2026 on this trim), Bose 12-speaker audio, multi-zone audio, power hands-free tailgate, power folding mirrors, and acoustic laminate front glass. Redesigned 20-inch Shark Gray wheels. Available brown leather interior. Elite ($53,495 AWD only) — Adds head-up display, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming side mirrors, puddle lights, and Ultrasuede seat accents with diamond stitching. Heated rear outboard seats included. Black Edition ($54,995 AWD only) — Same features as Elite with a blacked-out appearance package: Berlina Black 20-inch wheels, gloss black mirrors, black exhaust finishers. Limited exterior color options. Which Trim Makes Sense Sport AWD at $44,295 is the value anchor — you get everything that matters in daily driving. EX-L jumps the feature set meaningfully for $2,300 and is worth it if you want leather and wireless charging without paying for off-road or luxury trim. TrailSport is purpose-built and priced accordingly; the 2026 update makes it more livable with heated rear seats. Touring is the sweet spot for families who want real luxury features without the Black Edition's appearance tax. Elite adds the HUD and ventilated seats, which matter in hot climates. Pricing Summary Sport starts at $42,195 FWD ($43,690 with destination) or $44,295 AWD ($45,790). EX-L is $44,495 FWD ($45,990) or $46,595 AWD ($48,090). TrailSport AWD comes in at $50,395 ($51,890). Touring AWD is $51,095 ($52,590). Elite AWD is $53,495 ($54,990). Black Edition AWD tops the lineup at $54,995 ($56,490 with destination). ai generated music As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.